“There is no art in turning a goddess into a witch, a virgin into a whore, but the opposite operation, to give dignity to what has been scorned, to make the degraded disireable, that calls for art or for character”

“What I have lately said of painting is equally true with respect to poetry. It is only necessary for us to know what is really excellent, and venture to give it expression; and that is saying much in few words. To-day I have had a scene, which, if literally related, would, make the most beautiful idyl in the world. But why should I talk of poetry and scenes and idyls? Can we never take pleasure in nature without having recourse to art?”

“Just trust yourself and you'll learn the art of living.”

“It would be a lowly art that allowed itself to be understood all at once.”

“God help us -- for art is long, and life so short.”

“Science and art belong to the whole world, and before them vanish the barriers of nationality.”

“‎It has ever been my fate to give pain to those whose happiness I should have promoted.”